GOP submits names for open council seat

The Red Bank Republican Committee has submitted three names — James Giannell, John Tyler and Stephen Fitzpatrick — as possible successors for former Red Bank Councilman John Curley, who resigned July 14.

Curley Mayor Pasquale Menna said Monday the council received the names from John Minton, the GOP municipal chairman, last week.

The council must take formal action within 30 days of Curley's resignation.

"We'll be done certainly within the 30 days," Menna said.

Curley, who is running for county freeholder, said his resignation from the council was due to a residential move to Middletown Township and because of the time constraints associated with campaigning.

Giannell, a real estate broker who lives on Pearl Street, is the former chairman of the Red Bank Republican Committee. He has been active in the county and has served on the Planning Board.

Tyler, Leighton Avenue, is a contractor for the post office and has been a vocal advocate for quality-of-life issues on the west side. He lost his bid for a council seat in 2007.

John Tyler Fitzpatrick, Chestnut Street, is a retired city of Long Branch firefighter and has been an advocate for transparency in government, supporting pay-to-play legislation and a more restrictive ban on political contributions.

"The diplomatic way to deal with this is to invite the three candidates to have a meeting with me or a representative of the council. Or even at bare minimum to submit a resume because we don't even have resumes for the three candidates, before making a decision," Menna said.

The mayor said that conducting interviews or reviewing résumés is important, especially for the council members who may not be familiar with all of the possible replacements.

"It's an important decision even though it might be for a number of months," he said.

He said the interviews would help acquaint the council with the candidates.

"It's not an inquisition, just a little chat to get to know what their vision is of Red Bank," Menna said.

Counci lwoman Mary Grace Cangemi, currently the sole Republican on the six-member council, said this week that all three of the candidates are qualified and bring different strengths to the table but all three espouse the principles associated with the Republican Party.

Curley's resignation announcement came as a surprise to most of the council. His term would have ended Dec. 31, 2008.

Curley was an outspoken member on the council who often represented the opposing view from the council majority. He lost his bid for mayor in a race against Menna in 2006.

He has said that his goals for county government as he campaigns for freeholder include fiscal responsibility, limiting overdevelopment in Monmouth County and seeing government shrink in size.